Robert N. Chatigny

Nominee to U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
Nominated: February 24, 2010
Committee Questionnaire
Hearing Date:  Postponed
Reported By Committee:

• Liberal Dem Lawyer Who Knows Chatigny Has Big Concerns - I should be delighted by President Barack Obama’s nomination of Robert Chatigny to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. The judge appears virulently opposed to the death penalty. He appears to think that sex offender registration laws are too harsh and punitive. He previously represented people accused of crimes. One would think I would be dancing in the streets with glee. ....
• “The Transcript” of the Hearing Where Chatigny Defended Ross’ Sexual Sadism Against Ross’ Lawyer - Chatigny: " ... Mr. Ross, he never should have been convicted. Or if convicted, he never should have been sentenced to death because his sexual sadism, which was found by every single person who looked at him, is clearly a mitigating factor." See page 22.
• WaTimes: Obama Nominee’s Sympathy for Sexual Sadists - If you don't believe us, consider one judge's opinion that the "sexual sadism" of a multiple rapist-murderer was "clearly a mitigating factor" that argued against executing the murderer and perhaps even against convicting him in the first place.
• Robert Blecker on Chatigny’s Role for Ross - Michael Ross was a monster prepared to die, and the good people of Connecticut were about to kill him. Ross had murdered eight young women, including two teenagers, raping all but one. The prosecutors who sought his death felt certain; the jurors who unanimously sentenced him to die felt certain he deserved it. The courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court, concurred that this mass-murdering rapist could constitutionally receive society's ultimate sanction. [But then came Chatigny]
• The Judge Who Sought to Spare Ross’ Life Hid His Prior Role for Ross - A document surfaced bearing Chatigny's signature requesting that his organization be allowed to file a brief before the U.S. Supreme Court seeking to aid Ross. That is bad news for Chatigny. ``I forgot'' isn't going to work.